Kirkland grew up in Camas, Washington and attended Jesuit High School.
[1] He was rated a three-star recruit and initially committed to play college football at UCLA during the summer before his senior year.
[2] Kirkland decommitted from UCLA at the end of his senior football season and ultimately signed a letter of intent to play at Washington over an offer from Oregon.
[6] Kirkland considered entering the 2021 NFL draft, but opted to return to Washington for a fifth season.
[16] Kirkland made the Bengals initial roster in 2024 as a backup offensive lineman, but suffered a biceps injury in Week 5 and was placed on injured reserve on October 8, 2024.